i was wondering if anyone could help me out. a while back i went to crank my t-bars but the bolt heads stripped. so my alignment is thrown off now. how should i go about removing the bolt and putting a new one in?

 

Have you tried using a set of vise grips?

They also make a set of bolt extractors for your ratchet that bite into the metal of a bolt head for grip and remove it. I think either Irvin or Craftsman makes a set.

Putting a new one in? Get a replacement bolt at the dealership and use the right size 6-point socket. Replace it with the suspension unloaded (jack it up by the front crossmember). I wouldn't ever adjust those bolts with the suspension under load.

 

They are called easy outs. basically you drill a hole through the head of the bolt and stick the easy out in there. Its kind of like a reverse threaded drill bit that is not made for cutting, just grabbing. then as you turn it to the left it digs into the bolt head and starts to spin it that way. they typically work fairly well for medium to large bolts which is what you are dealing with.

 

I did this on mine too. Dont worry about it, just weld a large nut on the end of the bolt. Its a lot cheaper and easier than the other two mentioned.

 

Haha thanks for posting his thread cause one of my bolts is going to hell

 

yeah, if you have a welder this is the way to go

 

Well it's not cheaper if you have to go buy a welder.....LOL

 

Check these out:

Craftsman:
Craftsman 5 pc. Power Bolt-out® Set
Craftsman 10 pc. Impact Grade Bolt-Out™ Damaged Bolt/Nut Remover

Harbor Freight:
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

hamer a smaller socket on it that might work

 

oh yea i forgot about those things haha. i'll go pick me up a set of those and see if that works. thanks for the help

 

well i have a new problem now. should taking out the bolt be really really hard? im using a breaker bar and i still have to use all my strength. i was gettin it out until the socket broke. is there anything else i should do ?

 

They come from the factory with thread locker on the threads (like lock-tite). If I remember right, breaking it loose initially is pretty tough, but after that it's real stiff, but will get a lot more loose. You've got both front tires off the ground and have the truck supported by its frame (not suspension) when working on this, right?

 

Is all the weight off the front end? If not then the bars will have a lot of energy in them pushing against that bolt making it hard to take out.

 

yeah its all unloaded. i just cant believe how tough they are to get out. im going to shoot em with some pbblaster before i try again. thanks for all your guys help. haha i dont know what i'd do with out ranger forums

 

They should become easier to turn the farther you get them out.